Red Wine Pills Make You Live Longer?

by Max Shrem, Posted Feb 18th 2009 @ 1:00PM

It's now common knowledge that a glass of red wine can lower the risks of heart disease. Last month, "60 Minutes" covered a story explaining that scientists have identified the substance in wine that protects the heart: resveratrol. Scientists are discovering that resveratrol, in high concentrations, can do a lot more than keep your heart healthy. It can significantly prolong your life.

How much longer can this "fountain of youth" pill extend life? Scientists predict as much as twenty years. Dr. Christoph Westphal states: "Our goal is to prevent and forestall many of the diseases that strike us as we reach 50, 60, and 70. All with one pill." The resveratrol pill works by slowing down genes that control the aging process.

According to our recent Valentine's Day post, you can already purchase resveratol in the form of a necklace. However, if you are now concluding that you can drink enough red wine to get the same benefits, think again. To get the same effects from just one pill, you would have to drink over 1000 glasses of red wine. Nevertheless, this discovery may explain why there is such a low incidence of heart disease in France, despite a high fat diet. So, until the pill becomes available, a glass of red wine with every meal can't hurt.

Would you take resveratrol pills?
Yes	229 (84.5%)
No	42 (15.5%)

Filed Under: Science, Television/Film, Health & Medical, Food News, Drink Recipes
Tags: 60 minutes, 60Minutes, america, france, health benefits, HealthBenefits, resveratrol, wine

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-18-2009 @1:37PM Dustin said... uhhhhh, you can get Resveratrol in pills

http://www.puritan.com/resveratrol-053/resveratrol-red-wine-extract-017194

Also, read this post for a funny look at this issue:

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2009/01/26/090126sh_shouts_baumbach
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2-18-2009 @2:10PM Rt said... "...may explain why there is such a low incidence of heart disease in France, despite a high fat diet."

Perhaps the theory about a high fat diet is wrong. There have been so many reversals lately (coffee, eggs, alcohol, to name some) I wonder how long fat will remain as an 'evil' substance.

They can't put exercise in a pill so that idea will never sell regardless of its merit.
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2-18-2009 @8:51PM Rene said... For your heart, any form of alcohol (beer, brandy, rum...) works as well (studies claiming benefits of wine typically don't properly control for social and financial status). I'd be cautious with the 60 Minutes story -- there was absolutely no attempt to present any balance. It was all advertising. Here's another view from a nurse who looked into it:
http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/12/living-longer-with-resveratrol.html

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2-19-2009 @4:36AM vikki said... There were two studies that showed that resveratrol extended the life span of a worm (Caenorhabditis elegans) and a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). A third group that attempted to reproduce the effects of the study were unable to do so.

As well, in a large scale study resveratrol has not been shown to have any effect on lifespan with the two aforementioned creatures, as well as on laboratory mice.

Lastly, resveratrol is already sold in japan as a supplement that has been derived from japanese knotweed, so I don't believe it's just red wine that'll do the trick. ;)
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2-19-2009 @12:22PM Reid said... Red wine may good for your heart but according to the latest medical research from France it causes cancer. Drinking one glass of red wine increases your chances of getting cancer by 168%.

This news has definitely ruined my day.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1148611/Drinking-just-glass-wine-day-INCREASE-risk-cancer-168--say-French.html
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